Destination Greece
Discover Greece's Amalfi Coast -- Parga, Sivota and the coast of Epirus
Rania Margari, CNN • Updated 25th January 2019
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(CNN) — From colorful Parga and the stunning beaches of Sivota to the low-key port of Preveza, the Epirotic coast is dazzling.
Characterized as the Greek Amalfi Coast, though with its own allure, this endless coastline dotted with seaside villages, dreamy beaches, mountain villages, archaeological sites and amazing landscapes is still widely undiscovered.
It's a real gem in Greece, with a charm of its own.
Here are the best places to visit when you travel here:
Parga
Parga is a colorful old town hugging the mainland but with an island feel.
Giota Siomou Besta
This quaint seaside town, with the colorful houses built like an amphitheater on a hill leading up to a Venetian castle, serves as the perfect base to explore the area.
Although on the mainland, the atmosphere feels like an island, with its compact center and lovely corners crowned by bougainvillea flowers and the surrounding hills full of olive groves.
Buzzing with life, Parga offers mesmerizing views of the Ionian Sea. Kryoneri beach is right in front of the town, while numerous restaurants, cafes and bars line the promenade and continue on the road leading up to the castle.
Panagia (Virgin Mary), the islet facing Parga with its whitewashed chapel, is one of Greece's most photographed locations and is featured in tourism campaign posters by the Greek National Tourism Organization (EOT), and book covers (Paul Theroux's "Pillars of Hercules"), as well as a dreamy setting for weddings.
"The islet is also part of a local, urban legend," says Sergio Tsitakis, co-owner and director of Villa Rossa Boutique Beach Resort, the historic red mansion with a prime location right on Kryoneri beach. (Villa Rossa, Agiou Athanasiou 4, 48060 Parga, Greece; +30 2684031237)
Word has it that shipping tycoon Aristotle Onassis, who bought the Ionian islet of Skorpios in 1968, had first expressed interest in buying this one. Today, during summer you can hop on a day trip from Parga and swim near the legendary island of Skorpios and others.
Villa Rossa offers luxury lodging at the end of Kryoneri beach.
Villa Rossa
In the morning, you can grab a crunchy oven-baked pargino koulouri, a traditional cinnamon-flavored bread ring, from the Green Bakery and stroll along Parga's promenade and quaint alleys. (Green Bakery, 40 Sp Livada St., Parga; +30 26840 31400).
For sunset, you can head towards the Venetian castle on top of the hill. From up here, as you recharge over a drink at its café and take in the spectacular views, you'll soon forget about the steep climb.
Back in town, the olive oil factory Paragaea is worth a visit. Visitors can learn how olive oil production is linked with the local culture and participate in an olive oil tasting. (Paragaea, K. Tzavella 19, Parga 480 60, Greece; +30 2684 032889)
Near the castle, the Pargas Distillery Amicos Cocktail Bar serves its own ouzo, liqueurs and cocktails with mezze platters in a pleasant setting. (Pargas Distillery, Tourkopazaro, Parga 48060; +30 694 700 9151)
August 15 marks a double celebration for Parga -- not only is this the day of a big Greek religious celebration marking the Assumption of the Virgin Mary, it's also when locals celebrate their return to their homeland from Corfu in 1913. Almost a century earlier, the townspeople had fled after Parga was sold by the British to Ali Pasha, the Turkish ruler of Ioannina.
There are plentiful delights hugging the hills around Parga harbor.
Giota Siomou Besta
On this day fishing boats decorated with lights sail towards the port, fireworks splash the sky and a massive street party with bands goes on until the early hours.
Further afield visitors can sample a day excursion to the islands of Antipaxos and Paxos, with its scenic port of Gaios.
On Antipaxos, the out-of-this-world water of Voutoumi beach is one of the highlights.
Archaeological sites such as the Nekromanteion temple (the Oracle of the Dead), dedicated to the ancient Greek gods Persephone and Hades, are another.
Activities in nature abound as well. Into The Wild offers tempting daily excursions for mountain biking, hiking, stand-up paddle boarding, and sea and river kayaking. Surfing is also gaining popularity here.
Best beaches:
The water is iridescent at Voutoumi beach on the island of Antipaxos.
Rania Margari
Close to Parga, the popular beach of Valtos, the lovely gulf of Lichnos and the tiny cove of Sarakiniko are all great options.
Where to eat:
Villa Rossa's farm-to-table restaurant serves a seasonal menu based on locally sourced, top-quality ingredients featuring fish and seafood such as shrimps from Preveza or beef fillet with fresh Greek truffle from the Pindus mountains.
The chef, Theo Karathanassis, is known as the "saffron chef" because he uses saffron in many of his signature dishes such as his seafood risotto.
Aegis Dine & Drink, Paragaea's restaurant, serves modern Greek and Mediterranean cuisine at a great location overlooking the sea. (Aegis Dine & Drink, Parga 48060, Greece; +30 693 724 1479)
Where to stay:
Villa Rossa offers fine dining overlooking the beautiful Parga bay.
Villa Rossa
Villa Rossa Boutique Beach Resort is a historic mansion with a great location on Parga's main beach. (Villa Rossa Boutique Beach Resort, Agiou Athanasiou 4, 48060 Parga; +30 26840 31237)
Racconto Boutique Design Hotel (Alonakia, Parga 480 60, Greece; +30 26840 32238) is an adults-only award-winning design hotel.
Lichnos Beach Hotel & Suites (Parga 480 60, Greece; +30 26840 31257) offers seafront luxury.
Sivota
Sivota is a charming fishing village with access to plentiful beaches and hidden bays.
Rania Margari
About 30 kilometers northwest of Parga, Sivota is a small fishing village with a pleasant promenade, tiny center and grandiose setting.
Snuggled in green, with some of the most stunning beaches of the area and islets which create little fjords, this is the perfect place to hop on a boat and explore dreamy places such as Pisina beach or to experience a sunset cruise.
To feel the soul of this place it's good to wake up early and watch the fishermen untangle the catch from their fishing nets and maybe buy lunch from them.
On the way from Parga to Sivota, a climb up to the village of Perdika rewards with unhindered views of the area. There are also many taverns offering simple Greek dishes.
Best beaches:
Zavia is one of the best beaches in the Sivota region.
Rania Margari
One of the most exotic beaches is Bella Vraka, reached by walking through shallow water -- unusual and fun.
Megali Ammos has taverns right by the beach, while a glamorous beach bar offering super comfortable sunbeds dominates Mikri Ammos. Agia Paraskevi has a tiny island, which can be reached by swimming.
Karavostasi is a long and broad beach with superb blue waters and a traditional family tavern, Skala Karavostasi, serving cold beer, simple food and a stunning seaside view on the far end of the beach.
Where to eat:
Filakas Hotel restaurant (Sivota 46100 Greece; +30 26650 93345) for fish served at the seaside tables with great sunset views.
Melenio (Sívota, +30 2665 093662) is the place to go for ice cream, friendly service and cute outdoor seating.
Taverna "Oasis" in Agia village serves up traditional, hearty Greek food and great mountain views.
Where to stay:
Hotel Oriana (Sivota Thesprotia, Greece 46100; +30 26650 93520) is centrally located and also has recently renovated apartments with small kitchenettes.
Preveza
Preveza town offers a wealth of atmospheric dining options.
Ideal for a day trip, Preveza has a peaceful vibe, a laid-back seafront promenade and cute little corners in its city center to discover while walking. Here, the modern archaeological museum of Nikopolis and the archaeological site of ancient Nikopolis are major highlights.
During summer, Preveza Jazz Festival and the more traditional Sardines Festival (in August) draw the crowds.
Best beaches:
In the Preveza area, the deep-watered Monolithi and Kanali both stretch for miles offering numerous beach bars along the coast. The area is vast so if you prefer to hear only the sound of the waves and the feet tapping on the sand, it is possible.
Alonaki, with its grandiose rocky setting, is an experience of its own, while Ormos tou Odyssea cove has golden, fine sand and shallow waters.
Ormos tou Odyssea is a beach highlight near Preveza.
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Where to eat:
Downtown -- Amvrosios for fresh fish and Psatha for traditional Greek recipes.
Kanali beach -- Miriounis restaurant for tasty, simple food coupled with impressive sea views and sunsets or Sesa Boutique hotel's restaurant for gourmet dining.
Agios Thomas -- "To Ntaliani" and "Jimmy's" for fresh fish.
Where to stay:
The Captain's House (4-6 Karyotaki str. 481 00 Preveza Epirus, Greece; +30 2682023915) is a boutique hotel-guesthouse in a traditional mansion.
Daluz Boutique Hotel (Doridos 2, Preveza 481 00, Greece; +30 2682089220) are family-friendly apartments in the Psathaki area.
Sesa (Kanali Beach, Preveza 481 00, Greece; +30 26820 527070) is a luxury boutique hotel at Kanali beach.
Sailing
While Greek island hopping might be linked with the Cyclades islands, the Ionian Sea, with its calmer weather conditions and numerous sheltered harbors, is better for inexperienced sailors.
EY Sailing is one of the new breed of Greek sailing holiday companies offering thematic trips in the area which include visiting archaeological sites such as the Nekromanteion temple, kayaking in the River Aheron, tasting the local gastronomy in Preveza, exploring the idyllic islets of Sivota and also the nearby islands of Paxoi, Antipaxoi and Corfu, hiking, freediving and sailing.
Yachts can be chartered on a bareboat or skippered basis from Corfu, Lefkada and Preveza, all of which offer good marina facilities. Incrediblue, considered an Airbnb for boats, has many options.
